West Midlands

I would have been tempted by the Fizz too KatyK. It sounds as if the new station is a success.

Ironbridge is great - we spent a couple of days there and visited all the museums, had a boat trip on the Severn and tried pork pies from the shop at the end of the bridge. We were there because a GS needed to know about the Industrial Revolution but so enjoyed it we'll certainly return soon.

I'm biased about Brum, there's so much going on here these days and also recommend the Black Country Museum. Loads to see and do in and around Warwick and Stratford too of course. You've had some great suggestions above from other posters. Have a lovely time when you come to the West Midlands!

If you go to Cadbury World don't miss Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves - Tudor buildings on the corner of Bournville Green. As well as the Birmingham Botanical Garden, the University Botanic Garden, Winterbourne, which is quite close, is also well worth a visit.

Thanks Elrel for the thumbs up for Ironbridge. Did you stay anywhere nice, as that will be my next search project ? The boat trip sounds like our idea of fun too.

DH has told me to go ahead and start booking the list of weekends away I want to do before we are totally passed it !

I absolutely love the Black Country Museum and we could visit again on our way home.

Stratford was my home town for 14 years after I left Brum so I know it well.

Thanks All with your help I feel ready to start planning our trip.

A lovely city for a long weekend. Jewellery quarter and the art gallery with a huge collection of Pre Raphaelites. People have misconceptions s about Bermingham. It is a beautiful city in the centre.

Kate, the Severn Valley Railway does lovely trips where you can have afternoon tea, an evening meal or Sunday lunch while chugging up and down the beautiful line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth in renovated dining cars drawn by steam locomotives... Maybe another weekend away..?

Sue that sounds fabulous absolutely love steam trains. I am so pleased I have posted this thread I have had such a great response. We do live in a wonderful country.

With weather like this Britain is lovely....fab today.

NanKate - we stayed in a comfortable though fairly standard hotel with a pool and nearby golf course in Telford. We were out all day and I can't remember the name, sorry. Will see whether my daughter knows.
I've looked online and there are plenty of Shropshre farm b&bs, some very near Ironbridge. Church Farm b&b in Kemberton, Shifnal appealed to me and says it's only 10 minutes away but that is only from their website - I'm sure you'll research places yourselves. Have a lovely birthday trip!

Thanks Elrel we regularly do Farm Stays and always get a warm welcome plus a good breakfast.